Tempe approves $2.2M park ranger program, acknowledges Mill Avenue streetscape delays into 2025
TEMPE, ARIZONA — March 24, 2023

Tempe approves $2.2M park ranger program, acknowledges Mill Avenue streetscape delays into 2025

Tempe City Council work study session featuring major presentations on downtown refresh/Mill Avenue streetscape project (with timeline delays noted), park ranger program reinstatement, Vision Zero traffic safety initiatives, and Smith Road pedestrian/bike improvements, along with public testimony on park safety and enforcement.

Tempe Council Confronts Year-Long Downtown Delays, Moves to Reinstate Park Rangers, Tracks Vision Zero Progress

Tempe City Council convened for a work study session on March 24, 2023, to hear presentations on major downtown revitalization, public safety, and infrastructure initiatives. The meeting highlighted tensions between council urgency and staff timelines, particularly on the Mill Avenue streetscape—a $21.8 million project that has slipped considerably—alongside enthusiasm for a reinstituted park ranger program and measurable progress on Vision Zero traffic fatality reductions.

Key Speeches

"I spent a year and none of this has happened. I'm very concerned about us starting construction during a high season in February—that's when people are here, it's spring training, it's a busy time of the year. So I think that's a problem, and it's a problem that we're waiting until that day to start construction. I mean we need to start instruction earlier than that." — Vice Mayor Jennifer Adams

"We haven't been dragging our feet on this. This is an important project we know for us, and we realize for you and for the downtown. So we are moving as quickly as we can on this." — Julian Trisang, City Engineer

"We had them at one time in Tempe in the park and they were very, very successful. We talk about this about feeling safe, but it just goes beyond that. It's being safe. [Park rangers will] go a long way to help with that, and also getting care seven involved if they see those issues with homeless people that need help with that. So I'm really glad that you're considering it, and I hope this goes through, and also make sure that they are able to cite people when they need to. Otherwise there's no teeth." — Darlene Justice, Public Commenter

Timeline

Refresh Tempe Initiative – Downtown Improvements (Mill Avenue Streetscape)

Applicant presentation: Julian Trisang, City Engineer, presented the Refresh Tempe initiative, a comprehensive downtown revitalization effort with phased projects spanning immediate, near-term, and long-term horizons.

Current projects underway:

Near-term projects (kickoff within months):

Long-term Mill Avenue streetscape project (Rio Salado to University, $21.8 million estimated total):

Staff recommendation: Project proceeding on accelerated timeline with public outreach, business owner engagement, and block-by-block meetings underway.

Council discussion: Jennifer Adams expressed frustration over year-long delay between March 2023 funding allocation and August 2023 conceptual phase completion, then February 2024 designer onboarding. She argued the delay inflates construction costs and February 2025 start clashes with spring training and tourism. Council Member Navarro raised concerns about staff design decisions being made without adequate public input, tree grate removal/replacement sequencing, and ficus tree preservation. Arlene Chin questioned the project structure and design leadership, asking whether engineers are truly leading and whether steering committees exist. Berdetta Hodge requested involvement of high school art students in design components and attention to impacts on adjacent businesses.

Vote: No vote required; work study session for input and feedback only.

Park Ranger and Lake Ranger Program Reinstatement

Applicant presentation: Craig Hayden, Community Services Director, and Alex Jovanovich, Deputy Community Services Director, outlined the reinstatement of an unarmed civilian park ranger program covering all Tempe parks, preserves, and Tempe Town Lake.

Program details:

Budget request: $2.2M supplemental (one-time plus recurring), with timeline of 3–6 months for hiring/onboarding; rangers anticipated deployed within 6 months if approved.

Staff recommendation: Reinstatement supported by multiple departments; leverages existing security vendor (Ally) while building permanent internal capacity; improves control over hiring, training, and alignment with city strategic priorities.

Public comment: 2 speakers (Kim Gaffney-Loza, Darlene Justice) strongly supported program, citing personal experience with ATVs, dirt bikes, off-leash dogs, and unsafe conditions in Papago Preserve and other parks. Both emphasized need for citation authority and enforcement "teeth" to deter repeat violations and require public education.

Council discussion: Jennifer Adams expressed "super excited" enthusiasm, noting this was a campaign priority for two election cycles and recalling successful prior ranger program. Council Member Navarro emphasized importance for Papago Park cleanup efforts and noted that volunteer work reverts to poor conditions within 3–4 days without ranger presence. Berdetta Hodge requested coordination with school districts and high school students for education component; also asked about taser equipment and alternative non-lethal tools (wraps). Arlene Chin asked about program structure and whether high school art students would be involved.

Vote: No vote required; work study session. Supplemental budget request to be considered during formal budget process.

Vision Zero Traffic Safety – Data and Enforcement

Applicant presentation: Ellie Velosin, Senior Civil Engineer, and Lieutenant Hayes, Police Department, presented Vision Zero progress and 2023 safety corridor strategies.

Data highlights:

Completed strategies:

2023 safety corridors (designated with yellow signage; enforcement and education focus):

Selection based on serious/fatal crash locations, all-injury crash density, and police enforcement effectiveness potential.

Enforcement approach (new community policing model):

Drag racing specific actions: Five overtime enforcement events scheduled; partnership with Phoenix PD's long-standing task force; social media monitoring to identify locations; nighttime Motor Squad specialized training; focus on south Tempe (Rural Road, McClintock, Warner noted as problem areas).

Enforcement statistics: 2022 safety corridor officer-initiated calls for service showed 9–78% increases across designated corridors; 2023 targeting minimum 25% increase in new corridors. Mill Avenue and Scottsdale Road showed "very good" improvement; Priest showed negligible improvement despite one project start late in year.

Staff recommendation: Community policing model, continued strategic enforcement, engineering improvements, and education campaigns to be sustained and expanded.

Council discussion: Jennifer Adams praised crash reduction numbers (55 to 42) but expressed concern about drag racing on Rural/McClintock/Warner as "out of control." Lieutenant Hayes detailed overtime grant funding, coordination with Phoenix, and motor squad specialization. Council Member Navarro asked for detailed causational data (vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-pedestrian, vehicle-to-bicycle, age groups, demographics) to inform design and education; staff committed to providing detailed breakdowns at future two-week safety meetings. Berdetta Hodge asked about school district collaboration for teen driver education; Lieutenant Hayes noted Monday meeting with ASU PIO, Tempe Communications, and SROs to expand classroom presentations beyond current fraternity/sorority level to freshman–senior grades.

Vote: No vote required; work study session.

Smith Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Improvements

Applicant presentation: Kathy Hall, Traffic Engineer, and Shawna Warner, Neighborhood Services, presented Smith Road project (Apache Boulevard to Rio Salado).

Project scope:

Design status: 30% design plans in progress; consultant incorporating neighborhood feedback for final design; 60-90-100 design phases expected complete by end of 2023.

Funding: Confirmed CIP funding for design and construction; submitted two grant proposals (Bloomberg Innovative Ideas, Thriving Communities) awaiting notification.

Timeline: Construction completion Q1 2025 (pending right-of-way/easement and underground utility findings).

Staff recommendation: Accelerated design process with neighborhood co-design to inform final plans.

Council discussion: Jennifer Adams expressed concern that 2025 timeline is too long given planned Culdesac shared autonomous vehicle deployment (~1,000 bikes projected) and safety risk during interim period. Requested creative acceleration of project and resourced support. Corey D Woods echoed concern, noting Culdesac project is "first of its kind in the entire country" and emphasized ensuring safety for bicyclists. Council Member Navarro suggested exploring interim signing, shared street markings, and short-term solutions to bridge gap, acknowledging right-of-way constraints on some segments; noted future opportunity for wider improvements as right-of-way becomes available.

Vote: No vote required; staff to provide monthly updates.

Landscape Maintenance on City Properties and Rights-of-Way

Applicant presentation: Isaac Chavira, Transportation Maintenance Manager, and Sean Thompson, Maintenance and Operations Supervisor, presented right-of-way landscape revitalization strategy and five-year plan.

Approach: "Right tree, right place" philosophy informed by urban forester consultation; assessment includes space to grow (horizontal/vertical clearance), utility conflicts, streetlight efficacy, and sustainability.

Completed projects (2015–present):

Data and assessment: GIS mapping system tracks tree canopy, aesthetics, plant material quality, desert granite, irrigation. Landscape Quality Index (LQI) being developed to mirror Priority Quality Index (PQI) and inform five-year prioritization.

Three projects targeted for completion before July 1, 2023:

Contractor changes: Yellow Stone contract expiring March 2023; city breaking into four separate contracts to give smaller companies opportunities. Two contracts approved: City Facilities and Parking Lots (battery-operated equipment); Landscape Maintenance contracts (battery and gasoline options) with added training in plant identification, proper pruning, landscape design principles.

Public response: ~90% positive resident feedback over revitalization efforts on >1 million square feet over nine years.

Council discussion: Jennifer Adams praised battery-operated equipment decision and credited Sean Thompson for customer service excellence (per Katie Holdridge). Council Member Navarro expressed passion for character-area landscaping (visual coherence reflecting neighborhood identity), citing Rural Road between Baseline and Guadalupe as opportunity for entrance area renewal. Suggested coordination with Tempe Marketplace maintenance practices, exploring smart plant selection (species known to thrive in Arizona conditions) and ground covers beyond grass/drought-resistant turf. Questioned landscape appearance on some arterials (mix of incompatible plants, cactus drop-off accumulation) and advocated for strategic maintenance agreements with higher frequency on entryway corridors.

Vote: No vote required; informational presentation.

Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency Solutions Grant (FY 2023–24)

Applicant presentation: Irma Holland McCain, Deputy Community Health and Human Services Director, detailed HUD-funded program allocation and affordable housing/homelessness support strategy.

Priority needs: Affordable rental housing, affordable ownership housing, addressing homelessness, public services.

FY 2024 allocations and recommended use:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): $1,745,733

HOME Investment Partnership (HOME): $285,000+

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): $158,560

Public comment period: Open through April 23, 2023; full annual action plan available online.

Staff recommendation: Programs fortify existing strong partnerships (Hope Team, care seven, Community Supervision) rather than creating new initiatives; aligned with best practices at peer cities.

Council discussion: Berdetta Hodge asked how Tempe compares to similarly-sized cities (Scottsdale). Irma McCain noted that Tempe's approach differs from Scottsdale in fortifying internal programs already strong in the city, creating more efficiency and community integration than typical models.

Vote: No vote required; public comment period extended; formal action expected April 27.

Initial Recommended Five-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and Acceleration Strategies

Applicant presentation: Tom Dodson, Deputy City Manager; Mark Day, Municipal Budget Director; and Weydel Homes, Interim Director of Strategic Management & Innovation, presented the recommended five-year CIP and funding strategy.

Charter requirement: Presentation 90 days before June 30 fiscal year end.

CIP scale: Current five-year CIP $1.3B → Recommended $1.48B (10% growth); Department requests totaled $1.8B, requiring $338M reduction.

Funding sources: General obligation bonds, Enterprise/excise bonds (water, wastewater), ARPA (remaining), general fund, grants, development impact fees, special revenue (transit).

Program breakdown (largest to smallest):

Funding mechanics:

Inflation impact: Jennifer Adams' repeated concern acknowledged; inflation affects project costs, forces adjustments to Geo Bond sizing, cash funding allocation, and bond election sizing.

Bond election schedule: 2020 election authorized $349M; next scheduled November 2024 (sized on five-year CIP projects).

Public engagement: Online forum (Feb 1–Mar 6, closed), virtual/in-person forums, mayor's youth advisory commission survey, website, media outreach.

Next steps: April 27 City Manager initial recommended budget (opportunity to address open items); May 11 follow-up if needed; formal adoption per State Statute.

Council discussion: No specific comments on CIP recorded in work study session; detailed discussion anticipated at subsequent budget meetings.

Vote: No vote required; informational/feedback session.

Opposition

Mill Avenue Streetscape Project Delays:

Support

Mill Avenue Streetscape / Refresh Tempe:

Park Ranger Program:

Vision Zero:

Smith Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Project:

Landscape Maintenance:

Park Ranger Equipment (Tasers):

Project Details

Refresh Tempe Initiative – Downtown Improvements (Mill Avenue Streetscape)

Park Ranger and Lake Ranger Program

Vision Zero Traffic Safety Initiative

Smith Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Improvements

Landscape Maintenance on City Properties and Rights-of-Way

Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grant (FY 2023–24)

Capital Improvements Program (Five-Year, FY 2024–2028)